"In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty"

This quote by Thomas Jefferson talks to the long-standing tension between religious authority and freedom. Throughout history, spiritual leaders have typically sought to manage the behavior of their followers and limit their liberty. This has held true in all nations and all periods, and Jefferson is suggesting that the priest has been a consistent opponent of liberty. He is indicating that religious authority has been utilized to oppress individuals and restrict their rights. This quote is a tip that freedom and spiritual authority have actually often been at odds, and that it is very important to protect freedom from those who would seek to limit it.